Fergus Finlay Says Merriongate Controversy Disappointing & Disilluioning.

Thursday, 12 August 2021 10:41

Mr. Finlay was an advisor to former Labour leader, Dick Spring, ex director of Wilson Hartnell Public Relations, former CEO of Barnardos and current columnist at the Irish Examiner.

Fergus Finlay says has reiterated his disappointment in the affairs leading up to, and stemming from the Merrion Gate controversy.

Former Minister Katherine Zappone's appointment as an UN Special Envoy, a role for which she is alleged to have lobbied Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, was made by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, without consulting the Taoiseach.

Her appointment was approved by Cabinet.

She resigned when it emerged she had hosted a party for 50 people at the Merrion Hotel in the days before her appointment.

Leo Varadkar has confirmed his attendance at that event.

In a highly unusual turn of events, the Attorney General's subsequent advice to Government, that outdoor events for up to 200 people are allowed for social reasons - as long as they're not weddings, sporting events, training or in a private home, was published

Mr. Finlay was an advisor to former Labour leader, Dick Spring, ex director of Wilson Hartnell Public Relations, former CEO of Barnardos and current columnist at the Irish Examiner.

Fergus Finlay joined Clem Ryan on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today:

From today’s Irish Examiner. Didn’t enjoy writing this …https://t.co/TfPmLvZwlu pic.twitter.com/QboMlTm2sL
— Fergus Finlay (@fergusfinlay) August 10, 2021

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